Looping-machine.



PATENTED APR. 17, 1906.

S. T. HARSHAW.

LOOPING MACHINE,

APPLICATION FILED FBB.13,1904.

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Invenfm;

Wzfnesses .-PATENTED APR. 17, 1,906

No. 8l8,374.

S. T. HARSHAW.

LOOPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.13, 1904 5 SHEETSSHEET 2 l Illlll w BEN &

No. 818,874. PATENTED APR. 1'7, 1906. S. T. HARSHAW.

LOOPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13, 1904 5 SHEETSSHEET 3v WZZLSSGE.

PATENTED APR. 17, 1906.

S. T. HARSHAW.

LOOPING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED FBB.13,1904.

5 SHBETs-SHEBT 5.

Wzizwss es. I

. UNITED STATES PATENT FFIYG.

LOOPlNG-IVIACHlNE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 17, 1906.

Application filed February 13, 1904. Serial No. 193,462.

To It whom it may concern:

'citi zen of the United States, residing at C0- hoes, in the county ofAlbany and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Looping-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to looping-machines for uniting two pieces ofknit fabric by their loops by a stitching mechanism adapted to operatewith a thread or yarn to produce an elastic chain of stitches forholding said two pieces of knit fabric elastically united. This machinefor uniting the two pieces of knit fabric by the stitches is adapted torender the joined fabric capable of being stretched to the tearing-pointof either of the two knit fabrics without breakingthe thread or yarnuniting said fabrics, and the chain stitches produced consist each of aloop-form stitch for uniting each pair of contiguous loops of the twopieces of knit fabric and for alternating a second loop between thelatter and the pair of the next succeeding loops of the fabrics to bejoined.

The invention further consists in the novel devices, elements, and partshereinafter particularly described, and set forth in the claims.

The purposes and advantages of this invention may be fully understoodfrom the following description when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, (in five sheets,) forming a part of thisspecification, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine embodyingthis invention. Fi 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is anelevation of the same viewed from the opposite side. Fig. 4 is a sideview, on an enlarged scale, of the mechanism for operating the needleand the looper, a portion of the oscillating plate and its adjunctsbeing shown in action. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 6 is afront view of the same. Figs. 7, 8, and 9, respectively, illustrate thesuccessive movements and operations of the needle and looper inconnection with two pieces of knit fabric to produce the elasticchain-stitch uniting said fabrics. Fig. 10 illustrates the movement ofthe looper in relation to the needle, and Fig. 11 is a diagramillustrating the elastic loopform stitching produced and joiningintermediate loops of the knit fabrics.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

In the drawings, A, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6, is a stationary bed-plateadapted to be supported by the usual work-table, Fig. 3. This bed-platesupports the parts of the machine which operate with the knit fabrics tobe joined and also the mechanism for actuating the same. Projected fromsaid bed-plate A is the vertical bracket A, Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5, whichbracket has attached. to it and rigidly supports the horizontal arm Awhich terminates in the transverse horizontal sleeve A This arm A withits horizontal sleeve A supports the vertical oscillating circulatingplate E, which carries the two pieces of knit fabric to be stitchedtogether by means of the oscillating device B, consisting of thehorizontal shaft B and vertical shaft B at right angles to one anotherand suitably joined by means of piece E The vertical shaft B projectingfrom piece E is inserted in hub E, projecting upward from the center ofoscillating plate E, as shown in dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 3, andsecured by means of set-screw E The horizontal shaft B, projecting fromshoulder b of piece E Figs. 2 and 3, passes freely through sleeve A andreceives on its outer end the split sleeve C of lever C and is securedby clamping-screw C This split sleeve and clamping-screw are foradjusting the oscillating plate E to any desired angle.

The circular oscillating plate E is shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Itcarries on its circumferential portion the revoluble ring F, which ringis provided with points The plate E is provided with an annular shouldere for receiving the ring F, which ring is secured in place by keeper F,held by screws 6. (Shown in'2.) The points f 7 (shown in the severalfigures) are, in form of construction and manner of being secured inplace, the same as are commonly used in this class of machines by thetrade, and therefore need no particular description.

Suitable mechanism is provided for revolving the ring F and its pointsff with an inter.- mittent movement. This mechanism which I at presentpreferably employ consists of the horizontal shaft G, Figs. 2 and 3,carrying on one end the pinion G which engages with teeth G3 on theunder side of the revoluble ring F. The opposite end of shaft G carriesratchet wheel H. This shaft and its adjuncts are supported in suitablebearings G G, projecting from the under side of the ostime.

,the dog H is quickly lifted out from engagecillating circular plate E,as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and when the ratchet-wheel actuates shaft Gthe points f on the periphery of ring F are advanced by means of pinionG acting with teeth G on said rin The toothed portion of theratchet-whee H projects through opening 6 rovided in plate E and insideand free of t e line of travel of ring F, and the relative proportion ofthe toothed surface G to that of pinion G is in this present machine astwenty to one, though these proportions may be changed as necessity mayrequire.

- The ratchet-wheel H has teeth h, substantially as shown in Fig. 2 and3, the bearing surface of the teeth being on a line radial with itscenter of rotation, while the rear side is relatively to the same at anangle of forty-five degrees. The dog H is at the outer end ofreciprocating arm H and the opposite end of said arm is connected witheccentric H by eccentric-ring H Figs. 1 and .2, in the manner generallypracticed. This eccentric imparts a reciprocating movement to the arm Hand is revolved at a speed twice that of the eccentric D, which, throughlever C, oscillates vertically the late E and its ring F. This isaccomplishe by pinion D on drive-shaft I and gear-wheel D on shaft D, asshown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, so that a pointf and a space are eachpresented to needle K at each oscillation of plate E.

Suitable mechanism is provided with the ratchet-wheel H for socontrolling the inter- Inittent rotation of the same that each for-.ward movement of the teeth may be completed simultaneously with thecompletion of My preferred mechanism is shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 toconsist of detent j, carried by lever J, provided with sleeve j andworking on stud 3' projected from a side of standard J, projected fromthe upper side of plate E. This detent j operates with the front edge ofeach tooth when at its zenith and checks the former movement of the sameat the proper Mechanism is also provided by which ment with the ratchetteeth h. My pre ferred mechanism at the present time consists of fulcrumJ rovided between upwardly-projected gui es j j on standard J, as shownin Figs. 1, 2, and 3. This fulcrum J 2 serves, with the motion ofeccentric H, operating said arm H to cause said arm to act as a lever tolift dog H quickly out of engagement with the ratchet-teeth when eachorward movement of the ring F of points f is completed. The detent j inFig. 2 is shown to have its working side and bottom lines correspondwith the angles of the ratchet-wheel h so as to prevent any rotarymotion of ring F while the dog H is reaching forward to gather anothertooth.

It will be seen by referring to Fig. 2 that the circular plate E and itsadjuncts are adapted to be oscillated so that a movement of the points fmay be had toward and away from the needle K, as shown by dotted line a;in Fig. 2, the center of oscillation being the center of the sleeve A Bythis means the points f, carrying the loops of the knit fabrics z and z,to be joined, will be presented in proper position for the passage ofthe thread from the needle K, and when this operation has been completedto allow the points f to drop by the downward tip of plate E, (indicatedby broken and dotted lines 00 in Fig. 2,) so that the needle may advancea ain toward the looper provided and over the 00 s z z to make theintermediate elastic stitc This vertically-oscillating movement of plateE and its adjuncts is accomplished by means of the lever 0, Figs. 1, 2,and 3, which is clamped at one end by split sleeve 0 to shaft B ofoscillating device E, while the other end, carrying adjustable roller 0,is raised and lowered by the surfaces (1 and d of cam D. Reacting springD is provided at roller end of lever C. The cam D, as has been remarked,turns at one-half the speed of cam H, which operates the dog-actuatingratchetwheel on shaft G, which moves the ring F by means of pinion G Thecam D is mounted on shaft D, which revolves in suitable bearings d andis actuated by gear-wheel D which is driven by pinion D on shaft I bymeans of pulley D from any source of power. (Not shown.) Shaft I has onits outer end the eccentric K and dual cam N, the functions andoperations of which will be hereinafter described.

K, Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive, is the needle for carrying the thread T,Figs. 7, 8, and 9, or yarn employed for joining the loops 2 and z of thetwo pieces of knit fabric and may be operated by mechanism commonlyemployed in this class of machines and consisting of the oscillating armis, having on its lower end clamping-surfaces k for holding the needle,clamping-screw 76', and thread-guide k, as

shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The arm K oscillates on stud k, which isadjustable in slot a in standard A, Fig. 4. This arm K has near theneedle-carrying end of the same a short arm K, on which is pivot W. Thispivot is inserted in a follower K which rests in annular way 1?,(indicated in eccentric K Fig. 4,) and a complete revolution of saideccentric carries the needle. to its forward limit of throw and back.

With the needle K, I employ the looper L, Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, andan actuating mechanism for so operating the looper as to produce in thethread T and between the united loops of two pieces of knit fabric anelastic chain-stitch. My preferred construction of this looper L and themechanism for operating the same is shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3,

4, 5, and 6. The looper is preferably made ITO of steel wire of diameterabout one-eighth of .one inch. It is provided with shank Z to beinserted in the downward curved portion Z of the forward end of arm M oflever M and secured by set bolt or screw Z Fig. 4. This looper isproperly curved downward and forward and is provided with looping-fingerZ as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 4, and particularly shown inFigs. 6, 7, and 8. This looping-finger is caused to make a completecircuit of the point of the needle K, as illustrated in Fig. 10, afterthe same has been thrust forward to its limit and takes the thread Tfrom the needle and retains it while the needle recedes and delivers therecently made loop of thread T to the needle again on its return.

The mechanism I at present prefer to employ in this invention to causethe needle and looper to perform the function above described consistsof the oscillating arm K, Fig. 4, carrying needle K, as beforedescribed, and bifurcated lever M, carrying the looper L, which isoperated by the dual cam N. Said cam N carries on its smooth face theeccentric K and both revolve with shaft 1. The proper relativearrangement of this cam and eccentric is shown in Figs- 4 and 5, andtheir adjustment for proper mutual operation is accomplished by means ofthe slot 767 and set-screw 7C8. (Shown in said Figs. 4 and 5.)

The lever M has arms M and M and is provided with sleeve M Figs. 4, 5,and 6, which fits but moves freely on horizontal stud M secured on postM by nut m, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. A reacting spiral spring m aroundsleeve M exerts pressure against the lever M and holds arm M in contactwith face-cam n on body N. (Shown in Fig. 5.) Arm M, carrying the looperL, is provided with pin m Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5, having engagement withtension-spring m the oppo site end of which is secured to rigid bracketA, and this spring serves to hold short horizontal projection m on arm MFig. 5, in constant contact with the peripheral cam n of cam-bodyN. Bothof these cam-faces n and it serve to operate the looper L constantly inproper relation to the needle for producing the elastic stitch, theperipheral cam at producing the vertical movements of the looping-fingerto take the thread off and above the needle and dropping it again belowthe same, while the face-cam n serves to produce the horizontalmovements of the looper forward and back to complete the circuit oflooping-finger around the needle.

More particularly, Figs. 4 and 5 show the cam N and eccentric K and inposition where the needle, with its thread, has passed through the loopsof the fabrics to be joined to its greatest length of throw. The highestpoint 8 of face-cam it holds lever M back, so that the looping-finger Zis just under the thread and back of the needle-eye 7c, as shown inFigs. 5 and 7 The peripheral cam-surface 4 is now presented, as well asthe face-cam surface 9. The former moves the finger I so that the looperL is raised above the needle, and the latter causes the same to travelforward, carrying the thread with it, as indicated by dotted lines inFig. 7. The idle portion 1 of the peripheral cam n, being of lessdiameter than that of portion 3, drops the looper below the first lineof travel, and the idle surface 5 of the face-cam 91/ brings the looperto position shown in Fig. 8 still holding the thread. Meanwhile andduring the time of the backward throw of the needle the eccentric Hactuating-dog H, has made one revolution and advanced one of the pointsf, so that a space is presented in the needles path, as shown in Fig. 8,and a revolution of cam D, Fig. 3, has brought its short throwsurface dinto position, when reacting-spring D Fig. 3, will oscillate plate E anddepress the points carrying the loops of the fabrics to be stitched sothat they will be under the needle and looper and free from engagementwith either, as shown by broken and dotted lines 00 in Fig. 2. Theneedle actuated by eccentric K Fig. 3, again advances, and arm M beingpressed into portion 6 of the facecam a, quickly crowds the looper andits loop of thread 7" forward to position shown in Fig. 9, and theportion 2 of the peripheral cam n tilts the looping-finger 1*, so as togive a slight slackness to the thread. Then the needle passes throughthe loop on the heel of the looping-finger and takes it off, whichoperation is assisted by the enlarged opening between the heel and thethread produced by the chamfer Z Figs. 7 and 8. Arm M is now quicklymoved back by the riding up on surface 7 of the face-cam n and withdrawsthe looping-finger from the loop now formed,

leaving the loop on the needle to be carried back to the line ofstitching connecting the loops 2 2 of the two pieces of fabric. Thearm.M continues to be pressed back until it reaches highest surface-campoint 8, where it will be ready to take the thread or yarn from thesucceeding needle thrust and perform its function again with the nextpair of loops to be joined. Thus the needle and looper form a stitchfirst through the loops of the two pieces of fabric, then one in thespace between, then with the next pair of loops, then in the space, andso on, forming the stitches with the intermediate ones in the mannerindicated by diagram Fig. 11, stitches z and 2 being those connectingthe loops of the fabric, and 2 the intermediate ones. It is to beunderstood that while the peripheral points f are intermittently ad.-vanced the mechanism described for vertically oscillating the plate andring-carrying oints f operates so as to cause the needle to take astitch on the point while the plate is in normal position and then takeone between the points and over the plate when said plate istippedrlownward by the cam D through arm C.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is

1. In a looping-machine, the combination 'with a stationary bed-plate,an arm having a with a stationary base-plate, an arm having a sleeve andconnected with said base-plate, a circular plate suspended from thesleeve, a ring, mounted on the circular plate, points on the ring forholding loops of two pieces of knit fabric, means for oscillating thecircular plate, and a needle cooperating with the points for the purposespecified.

3. In a loopingmachine, the combination with a stationary base-plate, anarm provided with a sleeve at its end, an oscillating device, a circularplate carried by the oscillating device, a revoluble ring carryingspaced points for receiving the loops of two pieces of knit fabric to bejoined, means for actuating the oscillating device, and mechanism forintermittently rotating the ring.

' 4. In a looping-machine, the combination with a stationary base-plate,an arm provided with a sleeve, an oscillating device suspended from thesleeve, including a rigid circular plate, a revoluble ring with pointsadapted to be rotated on the circumferential portion of the circularplate, a gear on the ring, mechanism secured to the lower side of thecircular plate and coacting with the gear for intermittently actuatingthe ring, and means for actuating the oscillating device.

5. In a looping-machine, the combination with a stationary base-plate,an arm supported above and extended rearward from the base-plate, acircular plate suspended from. the arm and adapted to be oscillated, acircumferential way, formed in the circular plate, means for oscillatingthe plate, a ring rotating in the way, a series of points projectingfrom the ring for engaging the loops of two pieces of knit fabric to bejoined, a gear on the lower side of the ring, a ratchet-wheel, a pinionactuated by the ratchet-wheel and engaging the gear, and a dog foractuating the ratchet-wheel.

6. In a looping-machine, the combination with a circular plate which issuspended and fixed from revolving, a metal ring carrying a series ofpoints and adapted to be rotated 1ntermittently on the circumferentialportion of said circular plate, a gear formed on the lower side of therin a pinion mounted on the circular plate an meshing with the gear,means for intermittently rotating the gear, and means for oscillatingthe circular plate.

7. In a looping-machine, the combination with a circular plate which isfixed against rotation, a metal ring provided with a series of pointsfor suspending two pieces of knit fabric by their loops, mechanism forintermittently rotating said ring and the series of points in relationto said circular plate, a needle, and means for oscillating the circularate.

p 8. In a looping-machine, the combination with a suspended circularplate fixed from turning, a metal ring carrying points for suspendingtwo pieces of knit fabric and adapted to be rotated in relation to saidcircular plate, a shaft supported from bearings fixed to the lower sideof said circular plate, a ratchetwheel, means for intermittentlyrotating the ratchet-wheel, mechanism between said metal ring and theratchet-wheel for rotating the ring, a needle, and means for oscillatingthe circular plate.

9. In a looping-machine,- a mechanism for suspending two pieces of knitfabric by the loops of the same, and for intermittently rotating saidfabric, the said mechanism consisting-of the combination of a circularplate which is fixed from rotating, a ratchet-wheel, a dog for actuatingthe ratchet-wheel, a pinion revolved-with said ratchet-wheel, a circularseries of cogs provided on the lower side of the intermittently-r0tatingmechanism from which the two pieces of knit fabric are suspended, and areciprocating arm for actuating said dog, a needle, and means foroscillating the intermittently-rotated mechanism.

10 In a looping-machine, the combination with a stationary baselate, anarm projected rearward from said base-plate and provided with a sleeve,an oscillatin fabricholding device suspended from the s eeve, includinga rigid circular plate, a rotating device carried by the circular plateand adapted to hold two pieces of knit fabric suspended from their loopsto be joined, and an adjustably-mounted lever mechanism for actuatingthe oscillating device.

11. In a looping-machine, the combination with a stationary base-plate,an arm projecting from the base-plate, a circular plate adapted to bevertically oscillated below the arm toward and from the baseplate, anoscillating device fixed to the center of the circular plate and pivotedto the arm, a circular way formed on the periphery of the plate, arotating ring having an intermittent movement in said way, a series ofpoints carried by said ring from which two pieces of knit fabric may besuspended by their loops between the rotating ring and the base-plate,means for moving the ring, a lever on the pivot of the oscillatingdevice, means for lifting one end of the lever, and a reacting-springfor returning said lever.

12. In a looping-machine, the combination with a stationary base-plateprovided with a projecting arm, a circular plate suspended from said armby an oscillatin device between said arm and circular pIate, a leverconnected to said oscillating device, means for raising one end of saidlever, a reacting spring for returning the lever, a metal ring adaptedto be rotated in relation to the circular plate and carrying points toengage with the loops of two pieces of knit fabric, mechanism forintermittently rotating the ring, which comprises a ratchet-wheel, areciprocating dog for rotating said ratchet-wheel, and a means forholding the ratchet-wheel after it is operated by the dog.

13. In a looping-machine, the combination with a stationary base-plate,an arm projected rearward from the same and provided with a sleeve, anoscillating device including a circular plate fixed from turning, andsuspended from the sleeve, an arm connected to said oscillating device,a cam for operating the oscillating device, a ring of points mounted onthe plate, mechanism, including a ratchet-wheel and a reciprocating dog,for rotating said ring of points, an eccentric for imparting areciprocating motion to said dog, and gearing to revolve the eccentrictwice to one revolution of the cam.

14. In a looping-machine, the combination with a stationary base-plate,-a circular plate, a ring carrying a circular series of points forsuspension of two pieces of knit fabric, mechanism for revolving thering in relation to the base-plate, means for oscillating the circularplate and the rotating series of points toward and from said base-plate,a reciprocating needle, and mechanism for oscillating the needlepointforward from said base-plate toward said rotating ring and return.

15. In a looping-machine, the combination with a stationary base-plate,a circular plate adapted to be oscillated toward and from saidbase-plate, a ring carrying points for holding two pieces of fabricssuspended between said ring and base-plate, mechanism for revolving thering in relation to the base-- plate, a reciprocating arm, an eccentricfor imparting reciprocating motion to the lower end of the arm, a needlesecured to the lower end of the arm and having its body carried on acurve the radius of which extends from the center of motion of said armto the shank of said needle, mechanism for vibrating said arm, and meansfor oscillating the plate.

16. In a looping-machine, the combination with a stationary base-plate,a ring carrying a series of points from which two pieces of knit fabricmay be suspended by their loops, means for revolving the ring inrelation to the base-plate, means for oscillating the ring toward andfrom the baseplate, an arm, a

pivot for said arm, a needle secured in the lower end of the arm andcarried upward from its shank on a curve the radius of which extendsfrom the needle-shank to the pivot of the arm, a cam, a follower pivotedto the suspended arm, and cooperating with the cam, the said needle-armbeing oscillated twice by the cam to one oscillation of the ring ofpoints.

17. In a looping-machine, the combination with a stationary base-plate,a ring carrying a series of points to hold two pieces of knit fabric,mechanism for intermittently rotating said ring, mechanism foroscillating said ring, an oscillating needle-holding bar, a camway, afollower in said way, a pivot connecting said follower with saidneedle-holding bar, the camway actuating the needle-bar twice to eachoscillation of the ring carrying points, so that the needle may be movedfirst over a point and back and then forward over the space between saidpoint and the next succeeding point.

18. In a looping-machine, the combination with a ring carrying pointsfrom which loops of two pieces of knit fabric are suspended, mechanismfor oscillating said ring and points, mechanism for intermittentlyrotating said ring, an oscillating needle-bar, a curved needle securedto the bar, mechanism for oscillating the bar twice-once over a pointand once over the space between said' point and its succeeding onc -toeach oscillation of the ring of points, and also to each intermittentmovement of the ring.

19. In a looping-machine, the combination with a stationary base-plate,an intermittently-moving ring of points for suspension of two pieces ofknit fabric by their loops, means for oscillating the ring, a needleadapted to be oscillated from the base-plate, a curved looper providedat its forward end with a looping-finger and a chamfer opposite saidlooping-finger, mechanism for actuating said needle as described, andmechanism op erating said looper as stated for producing the elasticchain of stitches for joining the loops of two pieces of fabric.

20. In a looping-machine, the combination with a stationary base-plate,a curved needle, a suspended arm carrying said needle, an eccentric foractuating said armwith an oscillating movement, a ring carrying acircular series of points for suspending two pieces of knit fabric, bytheir loops, mechanism for rotating said ring and points intermittently,mechanism for oscillating said ring and points toward and from saidneedle, a looper having a curved body provided at its terminal end witha looping-finger and having a chamfer opposite said finger, a leveroperating said looper for oscillating the same toward and from saidneedle, a dual cam-body having peripheral cam depressions andelevations, and facecam depressions and elevations, means for holdingsaid lever against both the peripheral cam and face-cam and for movingsaid looper laterally.

21. In a looping-machine, the combination with a looper havmg a curvedbody provided with a looping finger and a chamfer opposite the saidlooper-finger, a laterally-movable lever carrying said looper, a dualcam-body having a peripheral face provided with elevations anddepressions for oscillating the said lever, and a side face withelevations and depressions for moving said lever laterally and return.

22. A looping-machine including points for holding loops of fabric, aneedle, means 15 means for operating the needle toward and 20 from thepoints.

SETH T. HARSHAW,

Witnesses ALEX. SELKIRK, CHARLES SELKIRK.

